Any oil changing tricks or secrets?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Ft Campbell KY
Any oil changing tricks or secrets?
Ok boys, I know this will sound stupid and girlie and whatever other cracks you want to make but....
I am about to change the oil in my 2000 for the first time since I got her, and I am a little intimidated. First, let me say I know how to change the oil in my -gulp- minivan, and my hubbys truck, but the Vette is a whole new world. The dealership wants $75 plus to change the oil and I am sure I can do it. -or can I? Anything I need to know, any special tools I need to have? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My husband is in Iraq and I just want to "be the woman" and do it myself!
Thanks!
mom...
I am about to change the oil in my 2000 for the first time since I got her, and I am a little intimidated. First, let me say I know how to change the oil in my -gulp- minivan, and my hubbys truck, but the Vette is a whole new world. The dealership wants $75 plus to change the oil and I am sure I can do it. -or can I? Anything I need to know, any special tools I need to have? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My husband is in Iraq and I just want to "be the woman" and do it myself!
Thanks!
mom...
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Edmond Ok
Not too difficult at all. The only trick is you need to get the car level or have the front slightly lower than the rear. Let it drain for a good 10 minutes or so.
My driveway has a good slope to it. I will put the rear of the car on the upside of the slope, drive onto some 2 x 8 s jack up the front slightly. (Use jack stands when you are under the car and chock the rear tires for safety). Remove plug and let drain 5 minutes or so. I then lower the front as much as I can without crushing the drain pan. Always get a bit more oil out of it. Let drain 5 minutes or so. Jack it back up (use jack stands again) and change the filter. Put the plug back in, and add oil. Synth oil is recommended.
DJN
My driveway has a good slope to it. I will put the rear of the car on the upside of the slope, drive onto some 2 x 8 s jack up the front slightly. (Use jack stands when you are under the car and chock the rear tires for safety). Remove plug and let drain 5 minutes or so. I then lower the front as much as I can without crushing the drain pan. Always get a bit more oil out of it. Let drain 5 minutes or so. Jack it back up (use jack stands again) and change the filter. Put the plug back in, and add oil. Synth oil is recommended.
DJN
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: Enterprise AL
Originally Posted by mombrj715
Ok boys, I know this will sound stupid and girlie and whatever other cracks you want to make but....
I am about to change the oil in my 2000 for the first time since I got her, and I am a little intimidated. First, let me say I know how to change the oil in my -gulp- minivan, and my hubbys truck, but the Vette is a whole new world. The dealership wants $75 plus to change the oil and I am sure I can do it. -or can I? Anything I need to know, any special tools I need to have? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My husband is in Iraq and I just want to "be the woman" and do it myself!
Thanks!
mom...
I am about to change the oil in my 2000 for the first time since I got her, and I am a little intimidated. First, let me say I know how to change the oil in my -gulp- minivan, and my hubbys truck, but the Vette is a whole new world. The dealership wants $75 plus to change the oil and I am sure I can do it. -or can I? Anything I need to know, any special tools I need to have? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My husband is in Iraq and I just want to "be the woman" and do it myself!
Thanks!
mom...
By the way, I take all my vehicles the local Express Oil Change place. We have an agreement, the first time they mess up something, they lose my business. Plus, they know what brand filters I want for each vehicle, if they don't have them on hand, they run to the autoparts and get me one at jobber rates. All my vehicles get Mobil 1 so that's the easy part. The hard part is convincing them that the Corvette doesn't need to be changed on mileage alone.
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Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Bartlett IL
Originally Posted by doje
Walmart will do it cheap with Mobil-1. Ok, let the flaming begin. 
Another thing, if you jack it up from the side, make sure its under the black part of the frame. The floor and rocker panels both being fiberglass will crack easly. Also fill the oil filter up 3/4 of the way with oil first. It wont have as bad of a "dry" start up. Other than that, it's the same as the minivan
Mobil 1 5w30 and if you can a ac delco, Nappa gold (wix),mobil 1 or k@N oil filter. Try to stay away from fram, most people on hear don't like them.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 4
From: San Bruno ca
Originally Posted by mombrj715
Ok boys, I know this will sound stupid and girlie and whatever other cracks you want to make but....
I am about to change the oil in my 2000 for the first time since I got her, and I am a little intimidated. First, let me say I know how to change the oil in my -gulp- minivan, and my hubbys truck, but the Vette is a whole new world. The dealership wants $75 plus to change the oil and I am sure I can do it. -or can I? Anything I need to know, any special tools I need to have? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My husband is in Iraq and I just want to "be the woman" and do it myself!
Thanks!
mom...
I am about to change the oil in my 2000 for the first time since I got her, and I am a little intimidated. First, let me say I know how to change the oil in my -gulp- minivan, and my hubbys truck, but the Vette is a whole new world. The dealership wants $75 plus to change the oil and I am sure I can do it. -or can I? Anything I need to know, any special tools I need to have? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My husband is in Iraq and I just want to "be the woman" and do it myself!
Thanks!
mom...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
From: Boulder CO.
I admire how brave you are to want to do this yourself, and I have no doubt you can do it. However, this is the man's toy that happens to be a Vette, and it's somewhat sophisticated, a lot of fiberglass parts, and many other delicate things. I would take it to a dealer and have them do it.
Again, I'm not udermining your ability to do this. Heck, I'm somewhat mechanically apt, and I'm not sure I would do this myself without a lift and proper tools.
Good luck.
-Goose
Again, I'm not udermining your ability to do this. Heck, I'm somewhat mechanically apt, and I'm not sure I would do this myself without a lift and proper tools.
Good luck.
-Goose
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Easy to do. Just did it myself for the first time on my 2000 as well.
Stuff I learned:
Stuff I learned:
- getting the car up and getting underneath the car is the hard part. The layout for the oil drain and filter is pretty neat and easy to locate.
- run the car a bit after filling up with oil. after driving for almost an hour, I got a "low oil level" message. added one more quart (6 total) and we were good.
- use only purolater pure one oil filters on all my cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
From: The Internet
Originally Posted by Wicked LT1
I admire how brave you are to want to do this yourself, and I have no doubt you can do it. However, this is the man's toy that happens to be a Vette, and it's somewhat sophisticated, a lot of fiberglass parts, and many other delicate things. I would take it to a dealer and have them do it.
Again, I'm not udermining your ability to do this. Heck, I'm somewhat mechanically apt, and I'm not sure I would do this myself without a lift and proper tools.
Good luck.
-Goose
Again, I'm not udermining your ability to do this. Heck, I'm somewhat mechanically apt, and I'm not sure I would do this myself without a lift and proper tools.
Good luck.
-Goose
The principals behind changing the oil on this car are the same as on any other car. You find a safe place to jack it up, you remove the drain plug, filter etc., replace, fill, lower, check for leaks. It's just a car, mate.
Everything you need to know is in your owner's manual. There's an additional step to resetting the oil life monitor but you only need to know how to read to find out how to do that. Heck, you can even save a few seconds with the accelerator shortcut (pun, intended). But, basically, it's a trivial job.
The person who posted about Walmart is spot-on too. If you don't want to do it, or you're too busy, the only damage you're like to sustain from using a quick-change place is to your ego from using the same place that jealous people who don't own Corvettes might frequent.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Waldorf MD
The absolute easiest way to reset the oil life meter is to turn the key to the run position without starting the car and step on the gas three quick times. The DIC will display 100% life.
As far as the oil change, its the same as any other car. Just make sure to use ramps up front and jack stands to support the rear and your are golden.
BTW, thanks for the service.
As far as the oil change, its the same as any other car. Just make sure to use ramps up front and jack stands to support the rear and your are golden.
BTW, thanks for the service.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
here is what I do especially if it is cold ( winter time )..
1) I run the car up to temperature to thin out the oil and allow it to flow, it will also suspend any fines in the oil.
2) the oil plug sits forward of the oil pan. IN a C5 it is recommended to have the back of the car higher than the front because of the layout of the oil pan.
3) it is best to allow the oil to drain for 20 minutes.
4) remove the filter.
5) lube the new filter gasket, fill the oil filter with oil allow it to be absorbed in the media and refill to the top and install.
6) fill the engine with oil 6.5 qts.
7) start engine and check for leaks
8) reset the oil life monitor, turn key on, do not start and quickly pump the gas pedal three times.
Good luck and welcome to the forum and your support and dedication as a military family.
Bill aka ET
1) I run the car up to temperature to thin out the oil and allow it to flow, it will also suspend any fines in the oil.
2) the oil plug sits forward of the oil pan. IN a C5 it is recommended to have the back of the car higher than the front because of the layout of the oil pan.
3) it is best to allow the oil to drain for 20 minutes.
4) remove the filter.
5) lube the new filter gasket, fill the oil filter with oil allow it to be absorbed in the media and refill to the top and install.
6) fill the engine with oil 6.5 qts.
7) start engine and check for leaks
8) reset the oil life monitor, turn key on, do not start and quickly pump the gas pedal three times.
Good luck and welcome to the forum and your support and dedication as a military family.
Bill aka ET
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Mar 1, 2006 at 08:11 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
As usual E-T provides the correct,concise, complete answers.
The only thing to add is that if cost is part of your objective Sam's Club or Walmart or Costco is where to buy your Mobil 1 5W30 motor oil.
The AC/Delco filter is a good filter that is reasonable priced. As is the Wix and NAPA Gold.
The only thing to add is that if cost is part of your objective Sam's Club or Walmart or Costco is where to buy your Mobil 1 5W30 motor oil.
The AC/Delco filter is a good filter that is reasonable priced. As is the Wix and NAPA Gold.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Ft Campbell KY
The message "Change oil soon" just appeared in the DIC yesterday, I believe the guage says 40%. So, what I gather is, it's a pretty basic job, and if I have the time to do it myself, no worries, but if not it's OK to take it to just about any other service center? You guys have been great! Thanks for your help and for your appreciation for our troops!
BTW, this "man's toy" is MY toy, not my husbands! Anything he can do I can do better.. except using the bathroom standing up....still can't master that...
Thanks again for ALL the tips!
BTW, this "man's toy" is MY toy, not my husbands! Anything he can do I can do better.. except using the bathroom standing up....still can't master that...
Thanks again for ALL the tips!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: Enterprise AL
Originally Posted by mombrj715
BTW, this "man's toy" is MY toy, not my husbands! Anything he can do I can do better.. except using the bathroom standing up....still can't master that...
Thanks again for ALL the tips!
Thanks again for ALL the tips!
You obviously have a great sense of humor also.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,913
Likes: 1,867
From: Hot Springs AR
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
here is what I do especially if it is cold ( winter time )..
1) I run the car up to temperature to thin out the oil and allow it to flow, it will also suspend any fines in the oil.
2) the oil plug sits forward of the oil pan. IN a C5 it is recommended to have the back of the car higher than the front because of the layout of the oil pan.
3) it is best to allow the oil to drain for 20 minutes.
4) remove the filter.
5) lube the new filter gasket, fill the oil filter with oil allow it to be absorbed in the media and refill to the top and install.
6) fill the engine with oil 6.5 qts.
7) start engine and check for leaks
8) reset the oil life monitor, turn key on, do not start and quickly pump the gas pedal three times.
Good luck and welcome to the forum and your support and dedication as a military family.
Bill aka ET
1) I run the car up to temperature to thin out the oil and allow it to flow, it will also suspend any fines in the oil.
2) the oil plug sits forward of the oil pan. IN a C5 it is recommended to have the back of the car higher than the front because of the layout of the oil pan.
3) it is best to allow the oil to drain for 20 minutes.
4) remove the filter.
5) lube the new filter gasket, fill the oil filter with oil allow it to be absorbed in the media and refill to the top and install.
6) fill the engine with oil 6.5 qts.
7) start engine and check for leaks
8) reset the oil life monitor, turn key on, do not start and quickly pump the gas pedal three times.
Good luck and welcome to the forum and your support and dedication as a military family.
Bill aka ET
).I'd only add a few things to Bill's list:
1. Use a small hammer to tap the wrench when loosening the drain plug.
2. Use a set of rubber gloves to remove the drain plug. First set I got was Playtex, but they weren't too durable, then I went to Home Depot and got some better chemical gloves. Not as good feel-wise but much stouter.
3. Ditto on Seamore's comment about punching a small hole in the bottom of the oil filter; really cuts down on the spillage.
Finally, thanks again to both you for your service as a military wife and your husband for his service.
Have a good one,
Mike